Historic Gastonia building now event venue

A new venue in downtown Gastonia is attracting a diverse array of social gatherings, from weddings, to a fashion show, to quinceañeras.

Gastonian Halls is located at 181 W. Main Ave., a historic building that was built in 1935 and once housed The Eagle Five and Dime Store, according to Gastonian Halls manager Tom McPhaul.

The name of the event venue, Gastonian Halls, harkens back to a historic movie theater that once operated in Gastonia, the Gastonian Theatre.

"So what we are going to have is probably the number one venue hall in not only Gaston County, but Charlotte too, because it's over 24,000 square feet," McPhaul said. "Each room is like 5,000 (square feet). So if you want to have 100 people or 500 people, it would accommodate that."

The building has been updated with a lighting and sound system, with hookups for deejays. The venue also has a kitchen, a portable bar and a dance floor.

"Our main purpose is to rent the building and furnish the table and chairs, so you can have your own caterers come in," McPhaul said. "Even though they're large rooms, even when you have a small group, it feels intimate."

One of the goals of the venue, which is open until midnight, is to celebrate Gastonia's history and bring people back to downtown Gastonia.

The venue also open in December.

"We want people to come back downtown and enjoy what we have down here," McPhaul said.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Historic Gastonia building now event venue